Joan Butts’ Bridge Tips – Strong Hands: Slam Bidding & Roman Key Card Blackwood
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- Use Key Card Blackwood only when a trump suit has clearly been agreed
- The King of the trump suit is upgraded to the “status” of an ace
- There are five key cards to consider; the four aces and the king of the trump suit
- The most popular Key card response is “1430” (same as the score for a major slam)
- After the 4NT ask, 5♣️ shows 1 or 4 key cards (could be aces or the trump king)
- After the 4NT ask, 5♦️ shows 3 or 0 key cards (could be aces or the trump king)
- After the 4NT ask, 5♥️ shows 2 key cards (without the trump queen)
- After the 4NT ask, 5♠️ shows 2 key cards (with the trump queen)
- It’s ok to bid slam missing one control but not two (ie A, A or AK of a suit)
- If your side has all the first round controls, you may ask for second round with Grand Slam in mind
- 5NT asks for kings, and the most effective answers are specific kings (ie which king you hold)
Click here to watch the video guide.